Hey guys,
I’m finishing up paperwork in order to move forward with the Omnipod and Dexcom but I’m a little hesitant to jump on both systems at once. The biggest factor here is having both attached to me. I feel that I may get overwhelmed with both systems in me. The other factor is cost. Both are doable financially, but If I can avoid having to pay for one, I would. I feel the pump would give me a lot more freedom, while the CGM is more important. My numbers are very good but that’s only because I’m very aggressive(which can be bothersome). However, I do get the occasional 200 when I eat out. A friend of mine who’s very experienced said my numbers are great for now and doesn’t see the need for a CGM. But, If I can avoid the high’s, even if it’s once every two weeks, I will.
I’m sure many of you here have both and can give me some input. Would it be better to start pumping first instead of CGM? Vice versa? Is having both Pod and CGM not so bad?
4309-GetAttachment.aspx.jpg (7.58 KB)
I took a photo of my meter with my numbers from the last 90 days- see attached
I am using a pump now, but not a CGM. I used a Dexcom for a bit last year, and while it helped, I didn’t get consistently accurate results and felt like I was beginning to run out of real estate on my mid-section (where I tend to like to wear the sensor and my pump because it’s hidden). Several times it woke me up in the middle of the night saying I was low when I wasn’t. Also, I would frequently get results during the day that were off by as much as 60-80 points. In the end, while I know many people love their CGMs, I just found it too much work. I still also had to carry my meter around, so the receiver just added to the junk I had to lug everywhere. Oh, and cost was also an issue for me. When I added everything up, I felt like I’d rather just have the pump and stick with traditional finger sticks.
It sounds like your numbers are really good and if you think the pump will give you more freedom, you should go with it. It definitely adds to the freedom you have eating/not eating, but the learning curve is significant, and your numbers may get worse before they get better or go back to normal.
I didn’t get my dexcom until about a month after I got my Ping. I was really annoyed that my CDE didn’t want me to get both at once, but she was right. I had tons of time to get used to the pump and time to make some tweaks before I got the CGM. Sounds as if it would make more sense for you to get the pump if you’re going to choose one, and give it some time. See how it goes… you may find you don’t want the CGM but if you do it can always be added. I wouldn’t choose to be without either!
I got the Dexcom first and a month later was on the OmniPod. They work very well in tandem and I don’t find wearing both things to be a problem. The most interactive is the Dexcom because you can see your trends and stop highs before they hit, it also allows you to avoid the lows (I’m having some spotty success on that front). I’m very glad that I got both of them. It has made management a whole lot easier. I was glad that I had the CGM first, I was able to get good at insertion before I had to do the OmniPod. Both of the systems are relatively easy to use. I wouldn’t hesitate if I were you. It is a pretty flat learning curve.
I’ve been debating this exact question of Dex and/or Omni and the relative cost benefit. My latest A1C is 5.8 but this masks a lot of lows and highs. I’ve currently got Dexcom paperwork submitted and await receiving it. I’ve decided Dex is more likely to improve my control vs Omni which is more of a comfort/convenience advantage (no dawn phenomenon). Not sure whether I want to manage two sites plus two remotes, so I’m going to try Dex only for now. Probably the only reason I’m even getting Dex is because I was able to trial the prior Seven system and I know it works well for me to ward off lows and highs.
Regardless, I want Dexcom onboard before Omni in order to better fine-tune pump settings. Btw, I ordered a spibelt and seeing it in person has relieved my concern over how to carry receiver conveniently and discreetly.
I got the pump about a year before I got the CGM (both MM?) and it was probably easier to deal with the occasional goofy readings on the CGM knowing my way around the pump? My transition to both was very smooth (except I had a 1/2 marathon the week after I got the CGM and the sensor was bouncing too much and ripped out so no data after about 3 miles but I still did ok. I like running longer distances a lot more with a CGM though!) but I think that the CGM was easier to say “hey wait, that doesn’t look right” because I was pretty confident using a pump by then?
I agree that if you can beat up a few 200s every couple of weeks, it’s worth it.
thanks for the info. That’s crazy that your numbers were off by that much with the CGM. Seems counter-productive. I
true! thanks for the advice